Snowsports Instructor Apprentice

This job description is intended to be a broad description of duties. You will be asked to carry out all responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Specific information on duties and policies can be found with your supervisor or in the Employee Reference Guide. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Serves as an apprentice to a professional instructor, and representative of Taos. This position works as a member of a team dedicated to creating the best possible environment for taking and teaching lessons. Shares our traditions of stewardship and inclusiveness. Inspires deep connections with our mountains and helps Create lifelong snowsports enthusiasts.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Must be able to assist instructors with coaching, teaching, and guiding guests that have a variety of range, including age, ability, discipline, and experiences.
• Recognizes that service is our product and helping guests have a great Taos experience is our primary job. Ultimately embraces that our goal is to help guests find the love of skiing/riding and the mountains we share
• Must be able to clearly communicate information that is relevant in an enthusiastic manner to create an exceptional guest experience
• Serves as a public relations representative for Taos, both on and off the job
• Initiates contact and greets guests in a friendly, helpful, and respectful manner
• Listens to guest needs and concerns, then relates the message to management
• Looks for ways to better serve the guest, Snowsports, and Taos Ski Valley.
• Reliable attendance on all scheduled workdays
• Participates with the teamwork essential for the success of the Guest, Instructor, Snowsports School and Area
• Assist with daily operations outside of lesson times
• Availability to assist with boot fitting, fences, cleaning, snow removal or other tasks as early as 7am until at least 4pm
• Completes indoor and on snow tasks before and after lessons as needed
• Cooperates with all area employees and co-workers in the performance of duties
• Maintains good humor and cooperative attitude
• Performs other jobs and responsibilities as assigned

Personal Skills:

• Maintains personal and guest safety as a top priority.
• Can address guests' needs and goals cognitively, affectively, and physically
• Reads and complies with Taos employee handbook and Snowsports procedures and policies
• Is responsible for information; emails, newsletters, informational websites, bulletin boards, memos and required meetings
• Makes continued effort to seek training and improve personal skiing/riding skill, teaching skills, and coaching knowledge
• Strong personal character and commitment to Taos Ski Valley, Inc.’s Vision, Purpose, and Values

• Provides a guest experience that exceeds the guest’s expectations

• Ability to accept criticism and opportunities gracefully and humbly for growth
• Ability to stay positive, focused, and constructive when faced with setbacks, challenges, and while working in an ever-changing environment

Qualifications/Knowledge:

• Assist in instructing group and special program lessons of varying abilities as assigned
• Assist in instructing students of any age, sex and learning abilities as assigned
• Must physically, clearly, and accurately demonstrate skiing/snowboarding model at a minimum intermediate level
• Must be able to share the information and emotions that inspire the guest to return to Taos and the Snowsports School
• Supplies personal equipment and maintains it in a safe functional and attractive condition
• Understands and adheres to the Responsibility Code and Skier Safety Act
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays (including Christmas), and evenings

Criteria for Evaluations

The Snowsports Instructor Apprentice is evaluated on performance of duties and consider a variety of factors, some examples are safety, communication skill, level of guest service, attitude, attendance and punctuality, attire and grooming, initiative, guest comments, skiing/riding ability and improvement, technical knowledge, relations with co-workers, and have professionalism, mature and logically sound judgement.

Work Environment:

• Employees must be prepared to ski, ride, and stand outside for their shift (4-5.5 hours) in changing and potentially extreme weather conditions
• Must be able to ski or snowboard proficiently
• This position works closely with children ages 3yo – 13 yo

Taos Ski Valley, Inc. is often a fast-paced work environment, especially during holidays and Peak days. TSVI is in a high-altitude alpine environment.  Position may require travel on uneven, snow-packed, or icy terrain and may be exposed to wet, cold, and/or humid conditions.

Physical Demands of Position Include:

• Instructor Apprentice can assist with teaching skiing or snowboarding while safely navigating the Ski Area in a professional and exemplary manner
• Instructor Apprentices must be able to ski, ride, walk, kneel, crawl, carry, reach, stand, stoop, squat and lift equipment or students up to 50lbs while actively teaching and coaching students for the duration of the lesson to complete all daily job duties
• Instructor Apprentices must be able to assist and lift students onto and off chairlifts
• Must be able to work in close quarters and with other staff

Background Check:

Positions dealing with children, of safety-sensitive and/or confidential nature, require driving or positions that handle cash may require a background check and MVR check. Employment is contingent upon a favorable background check and MVR check.

• Is a Background Check required for this position: Yes
• Is an MVR required for this position: No